EP0773876B1 - Car crash protector - Google Patents

Car crash protector Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0773876B1
EP0773876B1 EP95925161A EP95925161A EP0773876B1 EP 0773876 B1 EP0773876 B1 EP 0773876B1 EP 95925161 A EP95925161 A EP 95925161A EP 95925161 A EP95925161 A EP 95925161A EP 0773876 B1 EP0773876 B1 EP 0773876B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
vehicle
support construction
cover element
car crash
energy
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP95925161A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0773876A1 (en
Inventor
Jan Willem Vermeulen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Kelowna Hectares BV
Original Assignee
Kelowna Hectares BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kelowna Hectares BV filed Critical Kelowna Hectares BV
Publication of EP0773876A1 publication Critical patent/EP0773876A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0773876B1 publication Critical patent/EP0773876B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R19/00—Wheel guards; Radiator guards, e.g. grilles; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions
    • B60R19/52—Radiator or grille guards ; Radiator grilles

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for fixing to the front part of a vehicle, comprising a support construction which is assembled from profile parts manufactured from metal plate material and provided with attachment points for fixing thereof to the vehicle, a plastic cover element, manufactured from deformable plastic, for separately covering the sides of each profile part facing away from the vehicle, and means for connecting the cover element to the support construction, wherein between the profile parts of the support construction and the cover element mounted on the support construction free spaces are present.
  • Such a device is known from e.g. DE-U-93 06 545.
  • Such a construction is a functionally superfluous attribute for vehicles on the public highway but contributes to a particular image of the vehicle to which it is fixed.
  • Many "cross-country vehicles” are only used in an environment where a car crash protector is functionally superfluous, but wherein a car crash protector is indispensable to the image of the vehicle.
  • a car crash protector is indispensable to the image of the vehicle.
  • the object of the present invention is to manufacture a construction for fixing to the front part of a vehicle, without adversely affecting the appearance of the construction, such that the danger of "serious" injury to fellow road-users is limited.
  • the free spaces are preferably located on the side of the profile parts located at the greatest distance from the vehicle.
  • the thus manufactured construction has a robust appearance but is also capable of absorbing energy during a collision.
  • the plastic cover element of the construction will deform. After the collision the cover element will then be able to reassume its original form.
  • the support construction manufactured from metal plate material also deforms. This deformation is permanent but absorbs a relatively large amount of energy, whereby an object involved in the collision (for instance a fellow road-user) will be less badly damaged.
  • the support construction is according to the invention connected to the vehicle with interposing of at least one element absorbing energy during deformation.
  • the energy-absorbing element is formed by a deformable mounting bracket.
  • the energy-absorbing element is a spring.
  • the energy-absorbing elements increase the total capacity of the energy-absorbing power of the construction. This enhances the above stated advantages.
  • the parts of the cover element located closest to the sides of the vehicle preferably project over the support construction.
  • the cover element is hereby not supported on the sides by the support construction, whereby they will fold over in the case of a collision.
  • Fig. 1 shows a vehicle 1, to the front side of which is fixed a car crash protector 2.
  • Car crash protector 2 is fixed such that it leaves free the headlights 3 and the feed grill 4 for cooling air.
  • the car crash protector 2 provides vehicle 1 with a robust appearance.
  • Fig. 2 shows the car crash protector 2 in disassembled parts.
  • a cover element 5 manufactured from deformable plastic can be connected to a metal support construction 7 using connecting members 6.
  • the support construction 7 is built up of profile parts 8 made of relatively thin plate material.
  • Support construction 7 can be fixed to the vehicle 1 (not shown here) using coupling elements 9.
  • the upper two coupling elements 9 shown here are provided with a weakened portion 10, whereby they are deformable.
  • respective recesses 11, 12 for insertion of the connecting members 6.
  • Fig. 3 shows in cross section a part of the car crash protector 2 in assembled state. Shown clearly is a free space 13 which is situated on the front side between the cover element 5 and the support construction 7.
  • Fig. 4a shows a cross section of the car crash protector 2 of the foregoing figures in an unloaded and undeformed state.
  • fig. 4b the same cross section is shown during a light collision.
  • the plastic cover element 5 thereby receives a dent 14 which is situated in the space 13 which originally existed between cover element 5 and support construction 7.
  • the plastic cover element 5 can be embodied such that a small dent 14 disappears again after a collision because the deformed material springs back to the original shape (see fig. 4a). Energy released during the collision is herein absorbed by the deforming of cover element 5; the risk of injury to fellow road-users or damage to other objects is hereby limited. Subsequently shown in fig. 4c is the situation during a heavy collision.
  • cover element 5 is not capable of absorbing by means of a dent 15 all the energy released during the collision. The remaining energy will then be absorbed to an at least significant degree by the deformation of the support construction 7.
  • Safety is hereby further enhanced, since all energy absorbed by the car crash protector 2 cannot damage a fellow road-user or other object.
  • the upper coupling elements 9 will also deform close to the arranged weakened portions 10 so that again a part of the energy is also hereby absorbed.
  • Fig. 5 shows a car crash protector 2, wherein the upper coupling elements are formed by at least one spring 16.
  • a spring 16 is also capable of storing energy. After compression of the spring 16 it can spring back again into the original position. This perhaps more expensive construction therefore has the advantage that a possible deformation of the mounting of car crash protector 2 to vehicle 1 is only of a temporary nature.

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/NL95/00250 Sec. 371 Date Mar. 14, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Mar. 14, 1997 PCT Filed Jul. 17, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO96/02406 PCT Pub. Date Feb. 1, 1996A device for fixing to the front part of a vehicle, comprises a support construction which is assembled from profile parts manufactured from metal plate material and provided with attachment points for fixing thereof to the vehicle, a plastic cover element for separately covering the sides of each profile part facing away from the vehicle, and connecting members connecting the cover element to the support construction, wherein between the profile parts of the support construction and the cover element free spaces are present and the cover element is manufactured from deformable plastic.

Description

The invention relates to a device for fixing to the front part of a vehicle, comprising a support construction which is assembled from profile parts manufactured from metal plate material and provided with attachment points for fixing thereof to the vehicle, a plastic cover element, manufactured from deformable plastic, for separately covering the sides of each profile part facing away from the vehicle, and means for connecting the cover element to the support construction, wherein between the profile parts of the support construction and the cover element mounted on the support construction free spaces are present.
Such a device is known from e.g. DE-U-93 06 545.
Existing constructions for fixing to the front side of a vehicle usually consist of a grid structure or bar assembly to protect the front part of the vehicle. The construction must protect the vehicle against for example wildlife, stray cattle, branches etc, and is generally attached to cross-country vehicles or types of vehicles derived therefrom.
Such a construction is a functionally superfluous attribute for vehicles on the public highway but contributes to a particular image of the vehicle to which it is fixed. Many "cross-country vehicles" are only used in an environment where a car crash protector is functionally superfluous, but wherein a car crash protector is indispensable to the image of the vehicle. For fellow road-users (for instance pedestrians or cyclists) the danger of serious injury is increased in the case of a collision with such a "cross-country vehicle".
The object of the present invention is to manufacture a construction for fixing to the front part of a vehicle, without adversely affecting the appearance of the construction, such that the danger of "serious" injury to fellow road-users is limited.
The free spaces are preferably located on the side of the profile parts located at the greatest distance from the vehicle.
The thus manufactured construction has a robust appearance but is also capable of absorbing energy during a collision. In the case of a light collision only the plastic cover element of the construction will deform. After the collision the cover element will then be able to reassume its original form. In the case of a heavier collision not only the plastic cover element deforms but the support construction manufactured from metal plate material also deforms. This deformation is permanent but absorbs a relatively large amount of energy, whereby an object involved in the collision (for instance a fellow road-user) will be less badly damaged.
The support construction is according to the invention connected to the vehicle with interposing of at least one element absorbing energy during deformation. In a preferred embodiment the energy-absorbing element is formed by a deformable mounting bracket.
In another preferred embodiment the energy-absorbing element is a spring.
The energy-absorbing elements increase the total capacity of the energy-absorbing power of the construction. This enhances the above stated advantages.
The parts of the cover element located closest to the sides of the vehicle preferably project over the support construction. The cover element is hereby not supported on the sides by the support construction, whereby they will fold over in the case of a collision.
The invention is further elucidated with reference to the non-limitative embodiments shown in the following figures. Herein:
  • fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a vehicle provided with a car crash protector according to the invention,
  • fig. 2 is a perspective view of a car crash protector disassembled into parts,
  • fig. 3 is a cross section through a part of the car crash protector in the assembled situation,
  • fig. 4a is a cross section through the car crash protector in the assembled, non-deformed situation,
  • fig. 4b is a cross section through the car crash protector as according to fig. 4a in temporarily deformed situation,
  • fig. 4c is a cross section through the car crash protector as according to fig. 4a and 4b in permanently deformed situation, and
  • fig. 5 shows a cross section through an alternatively embodied car crash protector.
    • Fig. 1 shows a vehicle 1, to the front side of which is fixed a car crash protector 2. Car crash protector 2 is fixed such that it leaves free the headlights 3 and the feed grill 4 for cooling air. The car crash protector 2 provides vehicle 1 with a robust appearance.
    Fig. 2 shows the car crash protector 2 in disassembled parts. A cover element 5 manufactured from deformable plastic can be connected to a metal support construction 7 using connecting members 6. The support construction 7 is built up of profile parts 8 made of relatively thin plate material. Support construction 7 can be fixed to the vehicle 1 (not shown here) using coupling elements 9. The upper two coupling elements 9 shown here are provided with a weakened portion 10, whereby they are deformable. In the cover element 5 and the support construction 7 are arranged respective recesses 11, 12 for insertion of the connecting members 6.
    Fig. 3 shows in cross section a part of the car crash protector 2 in assembled state. Shown clearly is a free space 13 which is situated on the front side between the cover element 5 and the support construction 7.
    Fig. 4a shows a cross section of the car crash protector 2 of the foregoing figures in an unloaded and undeformed state. In fig. 4b the same cross section is shown during a light collision. The plastic cover element 5 thereby receives a dent 14 which is situated in the space 13 which originally existed between cover element 5 and support construction 7. The plastic cover element 5 can be embodied such that a small dent 14 disappears again after a collision because the deformed material springs back to the original shape (see fig. 4a). Energy released during the collision is herein absorbed by the deforming of cover element 5; the risk of injury to fellow road-users or damage to other objects is hereby limited. Subsequently shown in fig. 4c is the situation during a heavy collision. Not only the cover element 5 but also the support construction 7 and the upper coupling elements 9 are hereby deformed. The cover element 5 is not capable of absorbing by means of a dent 15 all the energy released during the collision. The remaining energy will then be absorbed to an at least significant degree by the deformation of the support construction 7. The plate material of which the profile parts 8 of support construction 7 are made intentionally have a limited sturdiness so that this generally permanent deformation becomes possible. Safety is hereby further enhanced, since all energy absorbed by the car crash protector 2 cannot damage a fellow road-user or other object. Finally, the upper coupling elements 9 will also deform close to the arranged weakened portions 10 so that again a part of the energy is also hereby absorbed.
    Fig. 5 shows a car crash protector 2, wherein the upper coupling elements are formed by at least one spring 16. A spring 16 is also capable of storing energy. After compression of the spring 16 it can spring back again into the original position. This perhaps more expensive construction therefore has the advantage that a possible deformation of the mounting of car crash protector 2 to vehicle 1 is only of a temporary nature.

    Claims (4)

    1. Device (2) for fixing to the front part of a vehicle (1), comprising a support construction (7) which is assembled from profile parts (8) manufactured from metal plate material and provided with attachment points (9) for fixing thereof to the vehicle (1), a plastic cover element (5), manufactured from deformable plastic, for separately covering the sides of each profile part (8) facing away from the vehicle (1), and means (6) for connecting the cover element (5) to the support construction (7), wherein between the profile parts (8) of the support construction (7) and the cover element (5) mounted on the support construction (7) free spaces are present,
         characterized in that
      the support construction (7) is connected to the vehicle (1) with interposing of at least one controlled deformable element (9) for absorbing energy during deformation.
    2. Device (2) as claimed in claim 1,
         characterized in that
      the energy-absorbing element (9) is a deformable mounting bracket (9), with at least one weakened position (10).
    3. Device (2) as claimed in claim 1 or 2,
         characterized in that
      energy-absorbing element (9) is a spring.
    4. Device (2) as claimed in any of the foregoing claims,
         characterized in that
      the parts of the cover element (5) located closest to the sides of the vehicle (1) project over the support construction (7).
    EP95925161A 1994-07-18 1995-07-17 Car crash protector Expired - Lifetime EP0773876B1 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (3)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    NL9401181A NL9401181A (en) 1994-07-18 1994-07-18 Car screen.
    NL9401181 1994-07-18
    PCT/NL1995/000250 WO1996002406A1 (en) 1994-07-18 1995-07-17 Car crash protector

    Publications (2)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP0773876A1 EP0773876A1 (en) 1997-05-21
    EP0773876B1 true EP0773876B1 (en) 1999-01-20

    Family

    ID=19864445

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP95925161A Expired - Lifetime EP0773876B1 (en) 1994-07-18 1995-07-17 Car crash protector

    Country Status (11)

    Country Link
    US (1) US6022057A (en)
    EP (1) EP0773876B1 (en)
    JP (1) JPH10502592A (en)
    AT (1) ATE175931T1 (en)
    CA (1) CA2195081A1 (en)
    DE (1) DE69507487T2 (en)
    DK (1) DK0773876T3 (en)
    ES (1) ES2126910T3 (en)
    GR (1) GR3029782T3 (en)
    NL (1) NL9401181A (en)
    WO (1) WO1996002406A1 (en)

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    DE29500106U1 (en) * 1995-01-04 1996-05-09 Rumpp Gerhard Front protection bar
    DE19852959C2 (en) * 1998-11-17 2002-09-12 Daimler Chrysler Ag Arrangement of a front guard on a motor vehicle front
    US6231093B1 (en) * 1999-02-02 2001-05-15 Ron D. Storer Push bar mounting system
    US6318773B2 (en) * 1999-02-02 2001-11-20 Ron D. Storer Push bar mounting system
    DE19941939A1 (en) * 1999-09-03 2001-03-22 Daimler Chrysler Ag Front impact crash protection system movable in vehicle length direction, comprises crash barrier mounted behind front panelling of vehicle
    DE19944670B4 (en) * 1999-09-17 2009-03-12 Volkswagen Ag Front bumper assembly for a motor vehicle
    US6367869B1 (en) 2000-07-26 2002-04-09 Ford Global Technologies, Inc. Energy management system and method for an extruded aluminum vehicle subframe
    US6398276B1 (en) 2001-04-12 2002-06-04 Herman L. Smith Bumper guard
    ES2186554B1 (en) * 2001-07-10 2004-08-16 Mondragon Automocion B.C.M., S. Coop BUMPER.
    US6905153B2 (en) * 2002-11-11 2005-06-14 Pro-Gard Industries, L.P. Push bumper
    US7077439B2 (en) * 2003-08-25 2006-07-18 General Motors Corporation Vehicle bumper and method of making same
    JP2007513832A (en) * 2003-12-09 2007-05-31 デコマ （ジャーマニー） ゲゼルシャフト ミット ベシュレンクテル ハフツング Structural components for automotive bumper structures
    EP1582413A1 (en) * 2004-03-30 2005-10-05 Ford Global Technologies, Inc. A bumper device for a vehicle
    US7246832B2 (en) * 2005-02-14 2007-07-24 General Motors Corporation Vehicle grille guard assembly
    EP2269875A1 (en) * 2006-04-18 2011-01-05 Ian Antony Finney Bull bar arrangement on a motor vehicle front
    US7306271B2 (en) * 2006-04-26 2007-12-11 Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. Aluminum brush guard assembly
    US7703819B2 (en) * 2006-06-21 2010-04-27 Concept Mouldings Ltd. Pedestrian protection
    US7445259B1 (en) 2007-06-08 2008-11-04 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Fascia anti-rattle springs
    US8585107B2 (en) 2011-08-31 2013-11-19 Iddea California, Llc Push bumper and mounting system
    JP6632869B2 (en) * 2015-11-09 2020-01-22 アイシン精機株式会社 Radiator support member
    US10116610B2 (en) 2016-08-31 2018-10-30 Keystone Automotive Operations, Inc. Automotive wheel overlay attachment system
    CN107054267A (en) * 2017-04-10 2017-08-18 上海蔚来汽车有限公司 Automobile plated item, automobile plated item mould and its manufacture method
    EP3892501A1 (en) * 2020-04-06 2021-10-13 4Extreme Trading S.r.l. Heavy-duty bumper

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    US3827741A (en) * 1973-08-06 1974-08-06 Ford Motor Co Resilient bumper assembly
    DE2550019A1 (en) * 1975-11-07 1977-05-12 Volkswagenwerk Ag Bumper bar for car - with open profile against open profile on car body to spread impact force
    DE3020997C2 (en) * 1980-06-03 1986-10-30 Wilhelm Karmann GmbH, 4500 Osnabrück Bumpers for automobiles
    JPS60209344A (en) * 1984-04-04 1985-10-21 Nissan Motor Co Ltd Bumper structure for automobile
    US4944540A (en) * 1989-05-24 1990-07-31 Ford Motor Company Sliding radiator grill
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    DE9105739U1 (en) * 1991-05-08 1991-07-18 Haslbeck Technik Gmbh, 8260 Muehldorf, De
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    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    ATE175931T1 (en) 1999-02-15
    NL9401181A (en) 1996-03-01
    DK0773876T3 (en) 1999-08-09
    EP0773876A1 (en) 1997-05-21
    AU698083B2 (en) 1998-10-22
    AU2938095A (en) 1996-02-16
    CA2195081A1 (en) 1996-02-01
    US6022057A (en) 2000-02-08
    ES2126910T3 (en) 1999-04-01
    WO1996002406A1 (en) 1996-02-01
    DE69507487D1 (en) 1999-03-04
    JPH10502592A (en) 1998-03-10
    GR3029782T3 (en) 1999-06-30
    DE69507487T2 (en) 1999-05-27

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